Commuting is a pain and expensive. Seems like you have a decent plan by sticking with Mesa, but if your long-term goal is SWA then it seems you might need to do a jump to get there. I know lots of pilots going to Spirit, Allegiant, but only one headed to SWA. SWA is definitely requiring a degree and 121 1,000 tpic of Mesa pilots. 1,000 tpic will take you a little over 3 years at Mesa on the Ejet. ExpressJet has serious problems and you will never become a CA there. And, SkyWest (it has a CRJ base here) has an 8 months wait to get to IAH and meanwhile you are in DTW, and you will never be domiciled here as a CA.

The downside for someone with a family is if they rely on you for health insurance. If they do, I would just keep on looking.

So, if you are trying to avoid commuting, want to make good money after upgrading (I know a CA that made low 6 digits in his first full year, but he flies 300% a lot), and can rely on your wife for health insurance, this is a good place. The Ejet is a dream to fly and the people are generally friendly (although you have an occassional as$hole).

 

I know Mesa was offering 30K first year bonus before the new contract pay increase. Now is 22.5K. Do you guys know how much you actually take home after taxes? (Married) THX